Chefs for Hope Program Provides Life-Changing Culinary Education

“If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”

This is the philosophy that inspired The Salvation Army’s Culinary Training Program in Louisville, KY, an intensive 10-week course which offers individuals who are struggling with homelessness, poverty and addiction, the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to obtain an entry level position in the culinary industry.

The innovative program is widely supported by area restaurants as well as Sullivan University, which helps provide guest lectures, field trips, chef’s attire, food, and most importantly, employment opportunities for graduates.

“What makes this program so good is that it continues to ring towards our goal of offering a hand up and not a hand out,” said Todd Lanham, Chairman of The Salvation Army, Louisville Area Command. “It essentially gives opportunities to people who haven’t had opportunities in the past, and through the program they are able to grow, turn their life around and ultimately give back to their communities.”

Upon completion of the course, culinary students have the opportunity to work with the city’s top chefs in creating a six-course meal for the annual Chef’s for Hope gala that raises essential funds for the program. With 125 foodies in attendance at last week’s gala, the event raised approximately $31,000 which will support two 10-week sessions this year.

“Students in this program take the opportunity and run with it,” said Lanham. “Chefs for Hope is really changing lives.”